New Series Features Live Performances by Chart-Toppers Including Jordin Sparks and Natasha Bedingfield at Universal’s New Concert Venue, The Music Plaza

ORLANDO, Fla. – Universal Orlando is kicking off its first-ever Summer Concert Series with performances by some of music’s biggest talent – live at its new outdoor Music Plaza. Beginning Saturday, June 13 and running Saturday nights through July 4, the new concert series will give guests the chance to top off their day in the park with a nighttime mega-concert.

The concert line-up features four of the biggest names in pop, hip-hop and R&B – all of whom are chart-topping, multi-platinum, Grammy Award nominees and winners.

First up is “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, whose self-titled album has sold more than a million copies. Sparks will be followed by hip-hop icon LL Cool J, with more than 15 million records sold and 20 singles on the Billboard charts. Then comes British songstress Natasha Bedingfield, with album sales of more than 10 million – and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Famers, The O’Jays. Continue reading…

In this doctored composite image, the Graf Zeppelin moors itself to the Empire State Building

Harking back to a romanticized future of the past, the sepia-toned skies of today could be very well have been filled with massive airships transporting passengers from coast to coast and country to country. But while you shouldn’t expect to see a zeppelin mooring to the Empire State Building any time soon (yes, that’s right – the once tallest building in the world was indeed intended to be a docking station for zeppelins – see here for more information), you can find one today piloting the skies of California.

The largest of only three zeppelins operating in the world today, the Eureka was recently brought to the United States by privately owned Airship Ventures, offering customers a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they fly over California using a means of transportation that hasn’t been seen in this country in decades. In fact, Airship Ventures is the only airship company operating today that allows the public to enjoy its services.

Disney Channel has ordered additional second-season episodes of the hit comedy series “The Suite Life on Deck” and will bring aboard a new character played by actor Larramie “Doc” Shaw (“House of Payne”). The series is in production in Hollywood and is a spin-off of the Emmy-nominated “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.” It stars Dylan Sprouse (winner of the 2009 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards for Favorite TV Actor), Cole Sprouse, Brenda Song, Debby Ryan and Phill Lewis.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – May 7, 2009 – Napa Rose restaurant Manager Joy Cushing, of Huntington Beach, California, has passed the grueling, week-long Advanced Level Examination of the International Court of Master Sommeliers, bringing the total number of Advanced Level sommeliers working at Napa Rose to five, the most of any restaurant in the world.

Cushing’s achievement puts her one level away from the elite title of Master Sommelier. It is also a tribute to the mentoring of Napa Rose General Manager and Master Sommelier Michael Jordan who, since 2001, has coached more than 300 Disneyland Resort cast members to the status of certified sommelier.

Guests traveling on the Disney Wonder this summer may have the opportunity to meet with their favorite Disney Channel stars (Photo by Diana Zalucky/Disney)

CELEBRATION, Fla. (May 11, 2009) – In a Disney exclusive, numerous Disney Channel stars will set sail this summer, joining thousands of Disney Cruise Line guests aboard the Disney Wonder for eight special sailings during the first-ever “Disney Channel Summer at Sea,” presented by Kodak.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Disney Channel and offer guests on our ship a unique opportunity to sail with Disney Channel stars,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “A cruise vacation with Disney Cruise Line is always a family-favorite and ‘Disney Channel Summer at Sea’ provides families another reason to set sail and experience the Disney difference.”

The Definitive Guide to Kidcot has been updated to reflect the reduced number of locations in Future World as well as the relocation of the Mexico Kidcot station. The location cheat sheet has also been updated to reflect these changes.

Cluster Balloon Chair and Up Zeppelin at Pixar Studios. Photo courtesy of Pixar.

Disney/Pixar has teamed up with cluster balloon pilot Jonathan Trappe to promote the UPcoming new film by recreating Carl Fredricksen’s helium-tastic voyage on a much smaller scale (right down to using Carl’s armchair instead of his house). Two teams will be leading a 20-city tour on either coast which already began back in late April.

Today, the west coast tour visited the Pixar Studios campus as shown in the photo on the left.